How to Pick Sprinkler Heads

A sprinkler system makes watering the lawn a breeze.

Sprinkler heads properly irrigate a lawn or garden. Basically, you install the sprinkler system and then turn it on at certain times of the day to water the area for you. Some sprinkler systems can also be on an automatic timer and turn on at certain times on their own. When you're purchasing a new sprinkler system, one of the most important decisions you can make is picking out its sprinkler heads.

Instructions

1. Check the radius for the sprinkler head. Some have a small radius of only 5 feet, while others can spray out 27 feet or farther. What you choose depends on the size of your lawn and the number of sprinkler heads the system has.

2. Look for gear-driven sprinkler heads if you want them to operate quietly or to have adjustable spray patterns.

3. Find sprinkler heads that have the capability of popping up if the sprinkler system you're purchasing is going to be hiding beneath the ground when it's not operating.

4. Factor in the spray pattern of the sprinkler heads. A fixed spray, for example, has a constant fan pattern, while a rotary sprinkler head rotates with a stream of water. Multiple stream sprinkler heads have several thin water streams and a flood or bubbler sprinkler head includes a heavy flow of water that gets to the roots of plants and shrubs.

References

• Home Depot Buying Guides: Irrigation: Sprinkler Heads